In winter you can see many birds along Okanagan lakeshore or on the water. American Coot often form large rafts tightly bunched together as protection from hunting eagles. Horned Grebes are the most plentiful grebe here in the wintertime. Gulls wheel overhead, loaf on shore or pose on light standards. Many can be found at the local landfill.
(Move mouse over images below to enlarge &/or see captions.)
(Move mouse over images below to enlarge &/or see captions.)
LEFT: Trumpeter Swan adult, photographed one winter at Thomson Marsh behind the Mission Playing Fields. Both Trumpeter and Tundra Swans, which breed in the far north, winter in southern BC wherever they can find open water.
Their long necks enable them to tip up and glean food from under the surface of the water.
A swan has over 20,000 feathers on its neck alone. These help to protect the bird's neck from cold winds and water as it feeds.
Canada Geese (below left) are also large birds, their size very apparent when they are out of the water. Canada Geese have become pests on our golf courses, beaches and grassy areas, since many no longer migrate. Occasionally in fall, winter or early spring a Snow Goose (below right) might be seen with them. Most Snow Geese migrate further east or west of our valley, and breed in the far north.
